Sifu Seán E. McCaffrey: Issue 72

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 72 featuring Sifu Seán E. McCaffrey is available in print and digital editions.

"Always excellently done, always thought-provoking, always interesting content, very well balanced, and always presented with grace and respect for all. I wish that all our Wing Chun brothers and sisters were as mindful in their day-to-day interactions with each other."

LARRY BUTLER

United States

The simple and profound truth about Wing Chun Illustrated is that it delivers! In a world where bias is omnipresent, hagiography widespread, and superficiality the norm, Wing Chun Illustrated truly does provide a forum for many perspectives and approaches, always with depth and content—meaning that it’s impossible to pick up an issue without gaining new, worthwhile insight into our beloved art. Truly, if one is serious about understanding Wing Chun, regardless of spelling tradition, Wing Chun Illustrated is de rigueur. Consequently, never settle for “just” present and future issues, but do get the full package, including all the back issues!

CHRISTIAN A. STEWART-FERRER

Denmark

This is an impressive magazine and I am set back with each issue by its quality of appearance and content. Clearly, this has the potential to overshadow many other national martial arts publications. Stay the course and always protect the line. Excellent job. As always, thanks and continued success.

MOSES McCLENDON

United States

I have purchased Wing Chun Illustrated in printed format and I have to say that it is simply the highest quality magazine I have ever owned! Beyond the quality paper and printing techniques utilised, the articles themselves are thorough and true to the Wing Chun system. I really appreciate owning a piece of history and I look forward to future issues!

JAMES BUMPAS

United States

I have looked forward to this magazine for months and was not at all disappointed. The articles are well written, nonbiased, and most importantly very informative. This is the first magazine that I have ever read from cover to cover. I’m encouraging all of my Wing Chun brothers and students to subscribe. I’m very much looking forward to the next issue!

WIZE SHABAZZ

United States

I have been practising Wing Chun for the best part of 30 years. In my time, I have read a huge amount of material on the art; however, I can honestly say that your magazine is by a long, long way the finest collection of articles I have come across. The fact that all views (and you and I both know there are so many) on the art of Wing Chun are made readily available in one place, without prejudice, is really inspirational and will hopefully serve as a guiding light and a template for dialogue within the art itself.

CHRIS HARVEY

United Kingdom

Sifu Seán E. McCaffrey Cover Feature

SEÁN E. MCCAFFREY
The Healing Warrior
By Eric Lilleør
With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Wing Chun Sifu Dr Seán E. McCaffrey has trained in various styles, including Judo, Shorin-ryu Kobayashi-ryu, Jujitsu, Kali, boxing, and Muay Thai. McCaffrey’s martial arts knowledge grew further when he ran across second-generation Bruce Lee student, Sifu Steve Fristoe, who introduced him to Wing Chun and later to Shihan George Vance, the patriarch of the Black Dragon Triad, a brotherhood of modern-day Samurai. McCaffrey earned a Sixth Dan with the title of Hanshi for his dedication to martial arts under Shihan Vance, and was selected as the torchbearer of the Black Dragon Triad. Over the last 30 years, he has trained with various Wing Chun instructors worldwide, but it wasn’t until he came across Sifu Evangelos Vasilakis that his training in Wing Chun truly took off.

Columns

SECOND NATURE
Mastering Wing Chun’s Key Attributes
Power, Acceleration, Timing and Relaxation
By Wayne Belonoha
Refine your Wing Chun skills with focus on key attributes—Speed, Power and Relaxation—crucial for effective practice against opponents.

TALKING HANDS
Scrap Mettle
Do You Really “Want Some?”
By Glenn Landers
Fighting is always easier for those of us who don’t fight. However, as coaches and students of what is—first and foremost—a fighting skill, do we really have a choice?

TRAINED INSTINCT
Becoming Wing Chun
From Forms to Fight
By Neil Parris
Get an enlightening look at some of the essential stages along a Wing Chun student’s journey, taking them from the forms to the fight. Can your form stand up to the pressures of reality?

THE INNER CIRCLE
Wing Chun History
Where Are We Today? (Part One)
By Jim Roselando Jr
Wing Chun’s lack of historical documentation, combined with generations of word-of-mouth, has made researching this art difficult.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Stop the Fight
The Groin Kick
By Jason Korol
The most vulnerable target for modern fighters is the groin. Learn how to take advantage of the mistake everyone is making these days.

Features

NELSON CHAN
A Wing Chun Journey of Over 50 Years
By Derek G. Chan
Sifu Nelson Chan is a direct student of the late Grandmaster Moy Yat. He is the founder of the Canadian Wing Chun Fellowship and is currently the Chairman of the Chinese Canadian Kuo Shu (Martial Arts) Federation.

THE WING CHUN TWINS
Keeping Tradition Alive
By Jason Korol
Sifus Kyle and Ted Ritter, known as the Wing Chun Twins, are the founders of the Zen Wing Chun Organization. Through their teachings, they hope to inspire others to embrace Wing Chun, unlocking its countless benefits.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR WING CHUN
Unlocking the Power of Xingyi
By Christopher Wong
Is Xingyi, a Chinese martial art based on aggressive linear attacks using spear techniques, applicable to Wing Chun? Could it improve your Wing Chun?

BEEBEE BARTELL
Breaking Down Barriers
By Donna Yap
Sifu BeeBee Bartell is breaking down barriers in the Wing Chun community. Learn about the challenges faced by women in martial arts and the message conveyed by Wing Chun regarding expectations and comparisons.

FROM PICKPOCKETS TO WING CHUN
The Art of Distraction
By Alan Gibson
Sifu Gibson explores the art of distraction, discussing how distraction is utilised in various fields, from close-up magic to self-protection and internal martial arts.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Martial Arts Secrecy
By Dr Robert Chu
Often in martial arts, you are met with secrecy. Sometimes, this is tradition and keeping “inner door goods”. Much of it is really “Chinese Marketing 101”.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
Let’s Face It—Most Shaolin Myths Are Bogus
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter discusses the problems of historicity regarding the Shaolin Temple and Chinese martial arts in general.

WING CHUN’S REBIRTH
The Mindset of Fighting
Don’t Start What You Can’t Finish
By Joseph Musse II
What does it take to defend oneself and loved ones? Sifu Musse stresses the importance of cultivating the right mindset for self-defence through training and mental preparation.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Chinese Martial Arts: From Antiquity to the Twenty-First Century by Peter A. Lorge and Got Fight? The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-To-Face Combat by Forrest Griffin (with Erich Krauss).

SCREEN FIGHTING
David David Peterson reviews the following movies: Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Dead and the Deadly.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVD: Benny Meng: Ip Man Wing Chun Series 8 – Dummy Section 5-8